Radiator cleaning composition



252. COMPOSH IUNS,

Patented Jan. 4, 1938 UNITED STATES Era 2,104,385

PATENT OFFICE RADIATOR CLEANING COMPOSITION ration of Delaware NoDrawing. Application August 27, 1934, Serial No. 741,742

2Claims.

This invention relates to a radiator cleaning composition adapted to beadded to the circulating water of a radiator of an internal combustionengine, for the purpose of removing accumulated dirt and scale andincreasing the coeflicient of transfer of the radiator shell andcylinder Radiator cleaning compositions of this character have beenheretofore suggested, which employ alkali metal phosphates or carbonatesas ingredients thereof. Likewise, the use of ordinary water glass hasbeen suggested. While these compositions are satisfactory for use in thecirculating systems of internal combution engines which do not employaluminum pistons or cylinder heads, they are not adapted for use wherealuminum is employed, due to objectionable chemical action and corrosionthereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiator cleaningcomposition of this character which is adapted for universal use in thevarious types of internal combustion engine circulating systems now onthe market, and which at the same time is highly efiective in itscleaning action.

I have discovered that sodium r n etasil i cate, which is usuallyencountered commercially as the lLvdrate NaaSiOa.5HzO, is superior toordinary water glass and other types of alkali metal compoundsheretofore used for radiator cleaners, in that it does not objectionablyattack aluminum. At the same time, the metasilicate is highly eifectivein removing rust, dirt and scale from the radiator shell and passages ofthe cylinder block.

' MWes iil'hesodiumsmetasilicate may be used as a pow der, or it may bedissolved in concentrated form in water or other solvents. Preferably, Iincorporate the metasiiicate with a light petroleum fraction, such askerosene, which serves to remove the oily scumthfitifs generallydeposited in the circulating passages of an internal combustion engineradiator. The proportions in which the ingredients may be employed mayvary widely. Very satisfactory results may be seecured with about equalamounts by weight of sodium metasilicate'and kerosene.

I also preferably incorporate in the cleaning composition a smallproportion of a corrosion inhibitor, such as sodium bichromate. Forexample, a proportion of about (LB-2% by weight of sodium bichromate maybe added to the above composition.

In use, the cleaning composition is added to the circulating water ofthe radiator in a proportion of the order of about --1 pint of thecomposition-to 2-3 gallons of the circulating water. The engine is thenrun for about 30 minutes, and the radiator then drained and flushed. Orthe composition may be allowed to remain in the circulating system for alonger time, such as over night, when the radiator is then drained andflushed.

In addition to its cleaning action, sodium metasilicate has a rustpreventing action for ferrous materials in contact with water. Hence,after cleaning the radiator and refilling with fresh water, the additionof about 0.2-0.8% of NazSiOafiI-IzO to the fresh water markedly inhibitsthe rusting of the ferrous portions of an automobile cooling system. Thesimultaneous addition of kerosene and/or sodium bichromate in theproportions used in the above cleaner would further enhance theprotective action.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention, ashereinbefore set forth, may be made without departing from the spiritand scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposedas are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A radiator cleaning composition consisting essentially of about equalparts by weight of ker osene and sodium metasilicate.

2. A radiator cleaning composition consisting of about equal parts byweight of kerosene and sodium metasilicate, and about 0.5-2% by weightof sodium bichromate on the weight of the said composition.

WAIDERSEE B. HENDREY.

Seer

